we have a 65 early 66 nine inch in ours..looking for an original later 66 nine inch for our car 6S1902...seen many custom buildups..how can I tell for sure that a housing is a factory original or a custom build up...would hate to go to a show and say ours is original just for a judge to say..uhhhh no its not... Thanks.. Jimmy
Gather a bunch of oe pics first for comparo, or ask one of the '66 gurus to look at your prospective purchase before you drop the drachmas.
Thanks for that heads up..I appreciate it...I pulled a pic from car 6S1885 and was point to a thread on a hipo site that was discussing the rear ends..looks like the only diffrence in nine inch housings from 65 and 66 was pumpkin shape..and the 65 had two variations of axle tube sizes where it was welded to the center section... Thanks again!! JImmy
if your looking for pictures to compare with ...try here http://www.nvsaac.com/gallery/1966_main.htm this site has a great deal of pics to look at ........cheers.
Always be careful IMHO when using the Nevada site. They (Jim) does not edit what pictures he puts up (they get submitted and just posted) so non-original parts and details abound. Not "talking out of school", Jim and I have discussed the issue and he is aware of this - If he starts adding comments about the cars and the items few will send him pictures. Kind of the same issue as to why national magazines don't point out what is incorrect on Concours cars that get into their magazines. As for the original question "how can I tell for sure that a housing is a factory original or a custom build up." If its done right you will never know. As "sharpe427" suggested get some detailed pictures and post them.
wow jeff never knew..glad to have that info...and as funny as it sounds..I love your answer and think it works..if its done right.. Thank you all everyone for helping with all your words and experience in getting our shelby back to the way it is supposed to be.. Jimmy
Thanks Ed for the heads up...I am going to bid one million dollars so that I can beat everybody...gads I hate ebay unless of course I am selling ... checked yesterday and our hood is original and correct ...thank goodness!!
Were the outer tubes are welded to the center section is the place that is most obvious . As Jeff said the good ones you can't tell but the less expert builders make it so you can tell the diameter of the tubes where they are welded together are slightly different diameter.
Bob thank you very much..I appreciate that info so much..I think we are just going to have Jim Cowles build us up one...knowing his work it should be dead on and we will finally have the right rear end in our car.. we just found our date codes on our cars fenders and body panels and the are dated 3 16 and 3 17 so I think our car was built in March of 66 so now we just need to find an original radiator with the right date of march on it ...I think...
Think you might open up your search for something in the Jan and Feb period. Will help in finding this difficult to find part. Example 1203 was assembled at Ford about a month before you car (going by the sheet metal dates) Its original radiator is dated Jan 66
Thats awsome info Jeff..thank you so much..wow that sure is a lot of shelbys made in one month ...at least I know I can look for a feb dated radiator..the hunt is on..